It’s sad to say that teenage athletes across America are being pressured and are desperate to gain any competitive edge they can when it comes to sports. The frightening reality is that many of them are not even aware that they are putting themselves at risk. What are these teens doing to themselves? The same thing many of their professional idols are being accused of doing—taking anabolic steroids.

What are steroids, what do they do, and why are they dangerous?

Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs designed to mimic the hormone testosterone. Some of the most commonly abused steroids are taken orally in pill form and include Anadrol 50, Oxandrin, Dianabol and Winstrol. Injectable steroids include Deca-Durabolin, Durabolin, Depo-Testosterone and Equipose. It is not only the football players, baseball players, and weightlifters who use steroids, but men and teenage boys who believe they are small and weak; female athletes; and women and girls, who think they are too fat and flabby.

Surveys suggest that the greatest increase in anabolic steroid use is among teenage athletes who are motivated by looking, feeling and performing better, regardless of the dangers. It is true that anabolic steroids do increase muscle strength and size, but they do not improve agility, cardiovascular capacity, or skill level. Ultimately, it is a person’s skill that makes a great athlete, not muscle. Consider these side-effects of anabolic steroids:

1. The premature closing of the growth centers. The long bones in teenagers who haven’t finished growing shut down, resulting in a shorter stature than nature had intended.
2. Weakened tendons. Athletes become more susceptible to tendon injuries because steroids have been shown to weaken tendon structures.
3. Gender-specific side-effects. In men, prolonged steroid use can result in reduced sperm count, impotence, baldness, the development of breasts, and difficulty or pain in urinating. In women, side effects include the growth of facial hair, a deepening of the voice (which in most cases is permanent), breast-size reduction, and changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle. 
4. Additional side-effects. Both men and women are at risk for clotting disorders, liver damage, premature heart attacks and stroke, and elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Users who share needles are also at risk for developing HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, causing serious damage to the liver.

Chiropractors, family physicians, and sports-medicine doctors are in a unique position to watch out for signs of steroid use. What are some of the signs? Teens who use steroids may have acne—sometimes severe—on their face, back and chest. They may appear bloated in the face and in overall appearance because drug use causes the body to retain more water. They may have a period of rapid weight gain in a relatively short period of time, as well as behavior changes such as a quick temper and lack of patience. All of these things should raise a red flag during an examination.

The solution to this problem is not easy or quick. It requires acknowledging and understanding the problem, then by educating parents, trainers, coaches, and, most importantly, teenage athletes. Drug abuse in sports is not new, but it is growing and the pressure on athletes is increasing every day.

Get the “Natural” Edge!

The most underutilized and overlooked, natural performance enhancing tool available to any athlete (of any age), is the chiropractic adjustment. Why, you may ask? Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct interference in the nervous system. For an athlete to perform at their best, their nervous system needs to be clear as possible. Only regular chiropractic care ensures that the body is consistently able to perform at its best in all areas; physically, mentally and chemically. Balance, hand-eye coordination, body control, and reflexive reaction time are all neurological acts which require the nerve supply to perform at 100%. Improving skill level makes a better athlete, not simply size and strength. If you’re looking to get the “Natural Edge” and improve your skill level, include regular sports chiropractic treatment in your game.

Call McKim Chiropractic for more information about sports chiropractic treatment and to schedule an appointment. You will receive expert chiropractic care, kinesiotaping, or intense-directed massage as appropriate. Our trained and certified staff is committed to helping the sports enthusiasts of Nampa, ID get in the game!